Volunteer Mentorship Programme 2017
青年支援計劃 2017

Background

According to the latest study conducted by the University of Hong Kong, over half of the cases that have sought help from the Accident and Emergency (A&E) services between the period of 2002-2010 were because of self-harm, of which over half of the cases refused to receive services provided by professionals. In addition to general medical treatments, it is essential to provide new post-hospital emotional support services for these kinds of urgent patients.

Therefore, Dr. Frances LAW of The Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong (SWSA) and her team partnered with four local public hospitals to conduct a study called “Effects of community-based caring contact on post-discharge young adults with self-harm – A multi-center randomized controlled trial”. Apart from conventional medical treatments, the study will make use of mobile apps and/or arrange volunteer mentors as intervention methods to study the change in suicidal thoughts and behavior of participants.

We hope to support high-risk young adults through the positive influence of a group of passionate, mature and responsible volunteer mentors of this programme, in order to encourage them to face difficulties positively.

Service target

Young adults aged between 18 and 39 who have carried out self-harm behavior and are referred by the A&E.

Volunteer mentors (Recruitment completed)

The team will carry out a selection for volunteer mentors of this programme, provide training and guidance, and monitor services provided by volunteer mentors to ensure the service target receives appropriate support services. Volunteer mentors should have a caring heart, and be willing to spend time on supporting the service target. In addition, volunteer mentors must be eligible and pass the selection process before receiving training. After the training period, volunteer mentors have to provide six months of regular service (at least twice a month) for the service target, which includes contacting the service target through telephone or other communication tools, and assisting the service target in understanding their own problems. Volunteer mentors will also acquire the skill of helping young adults to solve problems during the training, and report to our supervisors and the University of Hong Kong when they notice any crisis.

Registration

Registration Closed.

Enquiries

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Ms. Lai at 2831-5232 or by email carmenlai@hku.hk.

Organizers

Department of Social Work and Social Administration, HKU
The HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, HKU